Beijing sharply criticized Washington, labeling it as the primary disruptor of peace in the South China Sea. This followed the entry of a US warship into waters near islands whose ownership is contested.
The Chinese military reported that it confronted the US destroyer USS Hopper, which it claims entered its territorial waters near the Xisha Islands, known internationally as the Paracels, on Saturday without permission.
The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command reacted by deploying naval and air forces to track and monitor the US ship in these disputed waters, which are also claimed by Hanoi and Taipei.
The command’s spokesperson, Tian Junli, accused the United States (US) of seriously violating China’s sovereignty and security.
He asserted that this incident is clear evidence of the US’s pursuit of ‘navigational hegemony’ and its role in ‘militarizing the South China Sea‘.
Tian emphasized that US actions prove it to be a significant ‘security risk creator’ and the ‘biggest disrupter’ of peace and stability in the region.
He also stated that their forces are always on high alert to protect national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability.
In response, the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet confirmed that the USS Hopper conducted its operation near the Paracel Islands in accordance with international law, describing the mission as routine and safe.
The Seventh Fleet stated that US forces regularly operate in the South China Sea as part of a longstanding practice spanning over a century.
They emphasized their coordination with allies and partners who support maintaining a free and open international order that fosters security and prosperity.
The fleet reiterated that all US operations are conducted safely, professionally, and in line with international law, underscoring their commitment to operating freely in international waters, regardless of the location of excessive maritime claims or current global events.
